madimpossibledreamer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
madimpossibledreamer) wrote2021-09-24 11:00 pm
madimpossibledreamer) wrote2021-09-24 11:00 pm
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Shadowed Suspicion Chapter 216
Main Points:
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure/Buffy the Vampire Slayer AU
Chapter Summary: The battle takes a turn.
Word Count: 1482
Rating: Teen (Buffy|Jojo's level violence)
Note: HERE THERE PROBABLY BE BUFFY/JJBA SPOILERS
When Fitz comes to, it’s groggily, with a finger poking at his cheek repeatedly. At first, he thinks it’s Jojo. Not a ridiculous conclusion; Johan does display an impish sense of fun that he occasionally deploys to ease tension or otherwise aid morale.
But then, he remembered, Xander had been much more gentle about it when he’d had to do so, back when they’d finally managed to get a few hours of sleep. Also, he’s usually not groggy in the mornings. Reluctant, sure. It’s generally such a chore to get up out of the soft warmth of the morning, even when that warmth just happens to be a blanket.
And then he abruptly realizes that it’s definitely not either of those things and abruptly opens his eyes. He’s been placed somewhat carefully against a rock wall. He suspects the only reason the qualifier ‘somewhat’ exists in the first place is because they were somewhat in a hurry. Because he absolutely recognizes that distressed look in Pretender’s eyes.
It’s ridiculous, he’s fairly certain, but it seems Jojo’s Stand has inherited his bad habits. Then again, he’s one to talk. Oh, not that LJ has picked up any bad habits of his (that he’s aware), but more…well. Xander’s one to hide his worry behind a silly joke. Fitz would likewise conceal his concern, though probably behind biting sarcasm rather than a quip. Pretender might be attempting to hide his emotion, but from one man who’d attempted to do the same if not cut out such emotions entirely, it’s not a particularly successful attempt. Or, perhaps, he’s simply better at seeing through the illusion due to prior knowledge.
The voice that speaks isn’t Pretender’s, though, which confuses him briefly before he realizes Pretender’s mouth hadn’t moved. “Good, you’re awake. Do you believe you can walk?”
He glances up to see a man in a magnificent hat that looks vaguely familiar. It takes him a few seconds to realize why, exactly. That’s the hat of grandfather Speedwagon, that he’d kept sneaking trying on until it had been explained exactly why no one was wearing the hat anymore. Something about a tribute, he remembered, though an explanation that better suited a young boy of five. This man didn’t resemble grandfather, though, which meant he was probably the original owner, a William Zeppeli. (And, now that he’s thinking about it, vaguely amused, R.E.O. was allowed to wear the hat as a tribute to the dead, why couldn’t he?)
He takes stock. “Still a little sore, but otherwise functional, thank you.”
“I thought so. Your strange ghost friend knows Hamon, even if he isn’t a master of the healing forms.” Fitz feels a momentary urge to correct the Baron, but realizes it’s probably not that important in the grand scheme of things. It does confirm something he’d been wondering about, though. Pretender hadn’t used hamon, earlier, so he’d been curious whether the Stand could do it on his own. Apparently, the answer is yes, although less masterfully. It seems that Zeppeli had decided they were friends, based on the use of Hamon, and while history past Zeppeli’s death has proven that is not quite true, it’s an assumption not worth challenging, either.
And see, Johan? He’s doing better; he’s getting away from the pedantic intricacies—Johan? He should have lots of questions for Zeppeli. He’s probably experienced Jonathan’s memories at least once, so he’d probably seen, felt the man’s mentor die. Why isn’t he babbling, explaining the situation to the man right now, catching up like they’re old friends? He sits up a little too fast and gets dizzy.
“Your friend’s fine. He’s unconscious, but the ghost healed him first.” Most likely, he’s pulled some kind of ridiculous stunt trying to keep to the promise that both of them would live. Again. It’d be laughable if it didn’t have a track record of working out.
But—wait. They don’t have the time to be lazing about here. “Did you see Dio?”
Instantly, Zeppeli straightens from where he’s sitting on—rubble? Since when was there rubble? He had looked relaxed, like it was perfectly natural to perch there, no matter how uncomfortable it actually had to have been, but now he’s immediately ready for a fight, which shows good fighting sense.
“And? The Stone Mask?” The Baron asks intently, and yes, that’s right. That’s how this started, not only when it all began, but also when he’d first met Xander. But that’s not the Stone Mask Zeppeli is asking about, and he vaguely remembers Mum describing how single-minded the man was about the matter. Lying was a possibility, if not a good one. It’d probably come back to bite him, unfortunately.
“That doesn’t matter at the moment if the vampire kills us. Where is he?”
Pretender hesitates, before finally speaking up. “Behind the cave-in.” Intelligent, as a means of getting away, akin to retreating inside the castle and pulling up the drawbridge. He’s clearly been reluctant to speak before now, thouh, which is another oddity. He’d been talkative enough, before, and it’s not like he’d been completely alone with the Stand. Maybe it was the fact that the enemy Stand User was about to die, or maybe the urge to taunt Cooper overrode the desire to stay silent?
As far as buying time goes, it’s not a bad plan. He knows Johan would have preferred dealing with Dio directly, but stalling for time until the murderous rabbit Stand finally decides to undo its power is a viable strategy, as long as it decides to undo its powers eventually. The unknowns, of course, are that perhaps the Stand will just decide to be contrary and leave its ability running, and Jojo’s own particular worries. He’s had experience, at least in his own memories, that Dio’s a cunning character, who has cheated death before. It’s hard to say whether it’s just paranoia or experience that tells Johan he has to—what’s that phrase used in zombie fiction—double tap.
“And what did Jojo do to end up unconscious this time?” His tone is certainly teasing, which, hopefully, Pretender can tell. He is certainly worried.
Pretender shuffles. If Fitz isn’t imagining things, he looks a little sheepish. “I warned him not to try to stop time. What I can copy and what a human body not exactly suited to the power can handle are different things. But he saw Dio had you and panicked.”
Perhaps he should sigh, or facepalm. The blond does neither, instead chuckling a little. “The man attempted to copy a Lovecraftian entity. You really think he has a concept of his limits?”
The Stand looks pained. “Please stop him next time. This power could kill him.” An interesting request. Is Pretender incapable of ignoring an order from its User?
“I can try to buy you some time to retreat. I saved my strength as it seemed I might be the only one capable of fighting, at the moment,” Zeppeli offers, hard steel underlying the gentlemanly offer. The anger of a man seeking revenge for his own father’s demise. It’s a sentiment the young Speedwagon can understand, if, in his case, it’s for his mother.
As matters stand, it’s probably the best option they have. True, Pretender healed them both, but as that doesn’t seem like it comes as naturally to the Stand as its User, it probably fatigued the Stand. Jojo’s unconscious, and while Fitz thinks he could manage to fight, if need be, only those at peak condition should probably attempt an attack on this particular vampire.
True, it brings up other questions, about the morals of leaving an already dead man potentially to die again, and philosophical questions about whether the prophecy and destiny of William Antonio Zeppeli’s death have any bearing on his survivability at the present time, but those are questions Fitz can only afford to idly speculate about. Practically, this is the choice he has to make, and if Jojo wants to lecture him about keeping them both alive later, he can do so. It’d only be a relief, as long as they both live.
“Thank you. Try to stay alive, so young Jojo can thank you properly as well.” It had been an interesting choice, deciding whether or not to mention names, but the raised eyebrow and bemused, questioning stare might have been worth it. He starts to try to pick Johan up, but Pretender stops him and easily slings his User over one shoulder. Fair enough, since Fitz might have to be the fighter in this instance should they run into any unexpected trouble. He considers offering an Italian phrase for good luck, but a botched pronunciation is the last thing they need right now, so instead he says the translation. “Into the wolf’s mouth!”
A second raised eyebrow joins the first, but Zeppeli offers the traditional reply anyway. “Crepi il lupo!”
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure/Buffy the Vampire Slayer AU
Chapter Summary: The battle takes a turn.
Word Count: 1482
Rating: Teen (Buffy|Jojo's level violence)
Note: HERE THERE PROBABLY BE BUFFY/JJBA SPOILERS
When Fitz comes to, it’s groggily, with a finger poking at his cheek repeatedly. At first, he thinks it’s Jojo. Not a ridiculous conclusion; Johan does display an impish sense of fun that he occasionally deploys to ease tension or otherwise aid morale.
But then, he remembered, Xander had been much more gentle about it when he’d had to do so, back when they’d finally managed to get a few hours of sleep. Also, he’s usually not groggy in the mornings. Reluctant, sure. It’s generally such a chore to get up out of the soft warmth of the morning, even when that warmth just happens to be a blanket.
And then he abruptly realizes that it’s definitely not either of those things and abruptly opens his eyes. He’s been placed somewhat carefully against a rock wall. He suspects the only reason the qualifier ‘somewhat’ exists in the first place is because they were somewhat in a hurry. Because he absolutely recognizes that distressed look in Pretender’s eyes.
It’s ridiculous, he’s fairly certain, but it seems Jojo’s Stand has inherited his bad habits. Then again, he’s one to talk. Oh, not that LJ has picked up any bad habits of his (that he’s aware), but more…well. Xander’s one to hide his worry behind a silly joke. Fitz would likewise conceal his concern, though probably behind biting sarcasm rather than a quip. Pretender might be attempting to hide his emotion, but from one man who’d attempted to do the same if not cut out such emotions entirely, it’s not a particularly successful attempt. Or, perhaps, he’s simply better at seeing through the illusion due to prior knowledge.
The voice that speaks isn’t Pretender’s, though, which confuses him briefly before he realizes Pretender’s mouth hadn’t moved. “Good, you’re awake. Do you believe you can walk?”
He glances up to see a man in a magnificent hat that looks vaguely familiar. It takes him a few seconds to realize why, exactly. That’s the hat of grandfather Speedwagon, that he’d kept sneaking trying on until it had been explained exactly why no one was wearing the hat anymore. Something about a tribute, he remembered, though an explanation that better suited a young boy of five. This man didn’t resemble grandfather, though, which meant he was probably the original owner, a William Zeppeli. (And, now that he’s thinking about it, vaguely amused, R.E.O. was allowed to wear the hat as a tribute to the dead, why couldn’t he?)
He takes stock. “Still a little sore, but otherwise functional, thank you.”
“I thought so. Your strange ghost friend knows Hamon, even if he isn’t a master of the healing forms.” Fitz feels a momentary urge to correct the Baron, but realizes it’s probably not that important in the grand scheme of things. It does confirm something he’d been wondering about, though. Pretender hadn’t used hamon, earlier, so he’d been curious whether the Stand could do it on his own. Apparently, the answer is yes, although less masterfully. It seems that Zeppeli had decided they were friends, based on the use of Hamon, and while history past Zeppeli’s death has proven that is not quite true, it’s an assumption not worth challenging, either.
And see, Johan? He’s doing better; he’s getting away from the pedantic intricacies—Johan? He should have lots of questions for Zeppeli. He’s probably experienced Jonathan’s memories at least once, so he’d probably seen, felt the man’s mentor die. Why isn’t he babbling, explaining the situation to the man right now, catching up like they’re old friends? He sits up a little too fast and gets dizzy.
“Your friend’s fine. He’s unconscious, but the ghost healed him first.” Most likely, he’s pulled some kind of ridiculous stunt trying to keep to the promise that both of them would live. Again. It’d be laughable if it didn’t have a track record of working out.
But—wait. They don’t have the time to be lazing about here. “Did you see Dio?”
Instantly, Zeppeli straightens from where he’s sitting on—rubble? Since when was there rubble? He had looked relaxed, like it was perfectly natural to perch there, no matter how uncomfortable it actually had to have been, but now he’s immediately ready for a fight, which shows good fighting sense.
“And? The Stone Mask?” The Baron asks intently, and yes, that’s right. That’s how this started, not only when it all began, but also when he’d first met Xander. But that’s not the Stone Mask Zeppeli is asking about, and he vaguely remembers Mum describing how single-minded the man was about the matter. Lying was a possibility, if not a good one. It’d probably come back to bite him, unfortunately.
“That doesn’t matter at the moment if the vampire kills us. Where is he?”
Pretender hesitates, before finally speaking up. “Behind the cave-in.” Intelligent, as a means of getting away, akin to retreating inside the castle and pulling up the drawbridge. He’s clearly been reluctant to speak before now, thouh, which is another oddity. He’d been talkative enough, before, and it’s not like he’d been completely alone with the Stand. Maybe it was the fact that the enemy Stand User was about to die, or maybe the urge to taunt Cooper overrode the desire to stay silent?
As far as buying time goes, it’s not a bad plan. He knows Johan would have preferred dealing with Dio directly, but stalling for time until the murderous rabbit Stand finally decides to undo its power is a viable strategy, as long as it decides to undo its powers eventually. The unknowns, of course, are that perhaps the Stand will just decide to be contrary and leave its ability running, and Jojo’s own particular worries. He’s had experience, at least in his own memories, that Dio’s a cunning character, who has cheated death before. It’s hard to say whether it’s just paranoia or experience that tells Johan he has to—what’s that phrase used in zombie fiction—double tap.
“And what did Jojo do to end up unconscious this time?” His tone is certainly teasing, which, hopefully, Pretender can tell. He is certainly worried.
Pretender shuffles. If Fitz isn’t imagining things, he looks a little sheepish. “I warned him not to try to stop time. What I can copy and what a human body not exactly suited to the power can handle are different things. But he saw Dio had you and panicked.”
Perhaps he should sigh, or facepalm. The blond does neither, instead chuckling a little. “The man attempted to copy a Lovecraftian entity. You really think he has a concept of his limits?”
The Stand looks pained. “Please stop him next time. This power could kill him.” An interesting request. Is Pretender incapable of ignoring an order from its User?
“I can try to buy you some time to retreat. I saved my strength as it seemed I might be the only one capable of fighting, at the moment,” Zeppeli offers, hard steel underlying the gentlemanly offer. The anger of a man seeking revenge for his own father’s demise. It’s a sentiment the young Speedwagon can understand, if, in his case, it’s for his mother.
As matters stand, it’s probably the best option they have. True, Pretender healed them both, but as that doesn’t seem like it comes as naturally to the Stand as its User, it probably fatigued the Stand. Jojo’s unconscious, and while Fitz thinks he could manage to fight, if need be, only those at peak condition should probably attempt an attack on this particular vampire.
True, it brings up other questions, about the morals of leaving an already dead man potentially to die again, and philosophical questions about whether the prophecy and destiny of William Antonio Zeppeli’s death have any bearing on his survivability at the present time, but those are questions Fitz can only afford to idly speculate about. Practically, this is the choice he has to make, and if Jojo wants to lecture him about keeping them both alive later, he can do so. It’d only be a relief, as long as they both live.
“Thank you. Try to stay alive, so young Jojo can thank you properly as well.” It had been an interesting choice, deciding whether or not to mention names, but the raised eyebrow and bemused, questioning stare might have been worth it. He starts to try to pick Johan up, but Pretender stops him and easily slings his User over one shoulder. Fair enough, since Fitz might have to be the fighter in this instance should they run into any unexpected trouble. He considers offering an Italian phrase for good luck, but a botched pronunciation is the last thing they need right now, so instead he says the translation. “Into the wolf’s mouth!”
A second raised eyebrow joins the first, but Zeppeli offers the traditional reply anyway. “Crepi il lupo!”